A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs from sudden trauma to the head that causes a disruption in brain function. The general classification of a TBI includes penetrating or closed. This is distinguished by whether there is a break in the skull that breaches the dura mater, a layer of connective tissue that covers and protects the spinal cord and brain. A closed head injury (CHI) is more common than a penetrating brain injury (PBI). The types of CHI include intracranial hematoma, diffuse axonal injury, contusion, and concussion. Most patients with closed head trauma will require extensive treatment and rehabilitation to relearn basic skills and improve their ability to perform their daily routine.

If you suffered closed head trauma in an accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. To discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer in California, contact our law firm at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to provide free, friendly case advice.

The attorneys at our personal injury law firm have decades of combined experience helping those who have been injured and families who have lost loved ones in all types of accidents. We understand the devastation that families experience when a loved one suffers a traumatic injury, such as closed head trauma. That is why our legal team is committed to alleviating the financial, emotional, and physical burdens by securing a favorable outcome for our clients. Remember that you cannot depend on the insurance company to do what is right for you and your claim. The goal of the insurer is to settle your case for the lowest amount possible as a way of protecting their bottom line. Contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you through this difficult time.

Studies have suggested that the most common cause of closed head injury is slip and fall accidents which account for over 35 percent of CHI cases, followed by traffic injuries and motor vehicle collisions. Other common reasons for CHI include sports injuries, industrial injuries, and violence. When a physician is evaluating a patient with a closed head injury, they should consider the involvement of domestic violence, elder abuse, and non-accidental trauma.

The two populations that have the highest risk of closed head injury are young children and the elderly. Slip and fall accidents have been found to cause over half of TBIs in adults aged 65 or older and children aged 0 to 14. The second leading cause of TBIs in other age groups is injuries from traffic collisions, whereas, in children, the second top cause is being propelled against an object or being struck by one. Conversely, closed head trauma has been found to occur more often in males than their female counterparts across all age groups.

Immediate medical treatment should be sought if any of the following symptoms are experienced after an accident since these are some of the common signs of closed head trauma:

• Changes in vision
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Feeling lightheaded
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory problems or confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Problems with balance or walking
• Sensitivity to noise or light

When you have been involved in a recent accident that has resulted in new or worsening symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Given that a severe traumatic brain injury is a complex and progressive condition with significant mortality and morbidity, it is essential to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Initial treatment of a closed head injury should be focused on the maintenance of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. Intracranial pressure and blood pressure affect cerebral perfusion. Worsened outcomes have been reported in acute brain injury cases when there is a mismatch in demand resulting in cerebral ischemia or cerebral hypoxia and cerebral oxygen supply. In an emergency setting, it is essential for a physician to secure the airway, monitor breathing, manage circulation, and ensure proper positioning of the patient. Glucose levels, temperature, and seizures should also be closely watched and treated as needed. This is essential for preventing hyperglycemia, an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) from a fever, and worsening secondary injury from acute seizures.

Given that damage to the brain may have the potential to impact all aspects of life, it is crucial to protect it through prevention. Some prevention methods may include the use of a helmet during sports, child safety seats, use of a seatbelt, helmet use while using unrestrained or open vehicles, and securement of windows to prevent a child from falling. For a patient with closed head trauma after an accident, it is essential to work with rehabilitation specialists to improve the ability to perform daily tasks. The type and length of therapy will differ for every patient and is dependent on the severity of CHI and what area of the brain was damaged.

There are two types of damages that may be recoverable in a personal injury case, including economic and non-economic. The first type is intended to replace the financial losses an injured party has experienced because of an accident. These may include costs of past and future medical treatment, expenses for assisted living and accommodations to the home or vehicle, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and other financial losses associated with accident-related injuries. Non-economic damages are intangible in nature, meaning that they do not have a clear value attached to them. Mental anguish, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering are some of the non-economic damages that may be sought in a civil case. Non-economic damages account for the intangible harm a claimant has experienced because of closed head trauma and other injuries sustained in an accident.

To bring a successful case against a party or entity who was responsible for an accident, there must be clear and compelling evidence establishing the cause of CHI and the expenses associated with the treatment of that condition. Personal injury cases involving trauma to the brain may be challenging and complex to navigate. Therefore, it is best to contact an experienced closed head injury lawyer immediately after a crash. An attorney can help you by building a strong case, accounting for all damages, and working with the right experts when it comes to demonstrating that closed head trauma occurred as a direct result of a crash. You will receive just that when you turn to our legal team at AutoAccident.com for assistance. We have represented injured parties since 1982 and know what it takes to secure favorable outcomes in civil cases.

As part of a bodily injury claim, it must be proven that an injury such as closed head trauma was the result of the reported accident and not from another cause. As a plaintiff in a civil case, the burden of proof falls on you. This means that you must prove that the other side’s negligent actions were the direct cause of your injuries and damages. This is one of the many steps that must be followed when seeking financial compensation for accident-related injuries. Some of the forms of evidence that may be utilized in establishing that a closed head injury resulted from a collision may include medical records, eyewitnesses to the incident, and testimony from expert witnesses.

Proving closed head trauma in negotiations with an insurer or before a jury in the courtroom requires the assistance of an experienced CHI attorney. Building a strong and compelling case generally involves generating a thorough narrative that describes the sequence of events leading up to the accident that caused the injury. Evidence such as medical records and testimony from medical experts is necessary for proving that trauma to the brain has caused emotional or cognitive impairment. Expert witness testimony may also be useful in explaining how brain damage has impacted the plaintiff and their family, in addition to providing expertise about causes, symptoms, and future medical treatment needed. Visualization of closed head trauma through accident reconstruction may also be useful for informing and engaging a mediator, jurors, and other parties in a personal injury case.

When attempts at a fair settlement have been exhausted in negotiations with the insurance company, an accident attorney will prepare the case demonstrating how the client’s quality of life has been affected by the incident and resulting injuries. A lawyer will take the time to meet with the injured party’s family, friends, and others who knew them before the crash and who can provide a persuasive testimony. This may include their observations of the differences in behavior before and after the collision. Other forms of evidence, such as family photos, may be utilized to demonstrate a clear picture of how the injured party’s life has been impacted because of closed head trauma and its effects. This will be useful in telling a judge and jury the details of the client’s story.

As you can see, there are many challenges involved in personal injury cases involving closed head trauma. That is why these cases should be left to an experienced CHI lawyer to handle. If you have suffered a closed head injury in an accident caused by another party or entity, it is essential to discuss your case in detail with an attorney who will know the best way to proceed in your situation. Finding the best local injury lawyer may seem daunting as there are many to choose from in California. When narrowing down your search for the best attorney, it is useful to know what qualities they should possess. The video below goes into detail on what you should look for in an attorney to handle your closed head trauma case.

A closed head injury may result in lasting emotional, psychological, and cognitive damages that may impact your ability to work and enjoy a meaningful life with your loved ones. Our legal team takes pride in being the “personal” personal injury law firm that is dedicated to helping our clients get their lives back on track and our verdicts and settlements are a testament to that. We work together as a family at AutoAccident.com to obtain the best possible outcome in cases handled on behalf of our clients.

Learn more about how we can help you with your CHI case by scheduling a meeting with one of our attorneys to receive free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You never have to worry about upfront costs when working with our law firm, as we work on a contingent fee basis. When you are ready to learn about your rights and options for recovery after an accident, our multilingual legal team will be here to help.

Photo Source: By “AnnaShvets” via Pexels

:ds [cs 1865] bw